CIGC and Xinhua Host China-Greece Dialogue Forum in Athens

On May 12, 2025, the “Red Hall Forum: China-Greece Cooperation and Exchange Dialogue” (紅廳論壇:中國希臘合作交流對話會) was held at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, organized by Xinhua News Agency and Institute of Party History and Literature (中央黨史和文獻研究院) of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. According to Chinese media, the forum brought together representatives from both countries to discuss bilateral cooperation, with sub-forums on economic affairs and energy sustainability. In remarks closely echoing official CCP foreign policy language, Chinese Ambassador Fang Qiu (方遒) framed Greece and China as two ancient civilizations capable of injecting “stability and constructive force into the world,” called for advancing “high-quality” Belt and Road cooperation, and described deeper China-Europe connectivity as a shared goal, according to Xinhua. Yannis Theofanopoulos, former Greek Ambassador to China and President of the Greece-China Friendship Association, recalled his time in Beijing and stressed that despite geographic distance, the two countries share “deep cultural ties,” a framing China routinely employs to foster diplomatic legitimacy and support partnerships under the BRI. Athens News Agency Editor-in-Chief Aimilios Perdikaris called for stronger media cooperation, arguing journalism plays an “irreplaceable” role in fostering civilizational exchange — language that directly echoes Xi’s messaging since the 20th National Congress in October 2022.